Opposed to Variable Pricing

["Anthony Merizzi" <anthony@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

To the ICANN Board,

I am writing to object to the proposed new registry agreement for the .INFO
registry.

The inclusion of open-ended tiered pricing in the "Lifting of Price Controls
on Registry Services" section of the proposed agreement will be extremely
harmful to the Internet and will severely limit and stifle its growth.

The above proposal has the very real potential to make having an Internet
presence unaffordable for the vast majority and reserving it for those with
deep pockets. To offer the registry a blank checkbook would be giving them
carte blanche to charge amounts that can make or break potentially hundreds
of thousands of people's Internet ambitions is, in my opinion, misguided at
best and almost criminal at worst. As a website owner myself, this proposed
change would directly affect my businesses and web freedom. 

The Internet is supposed to be for all people, not just a select group.
There should be a uniform price for all Internet domains in the .INFO
registry space that reflects the cost of offering the registry service.
Having a double standard that allows charging whatever the registry chooses
for specific .INFO domains at their whim is unscrupulous and unfair.

The proposed "Lifting of Price Controls on Registry Services" registry
agreement gives the registry economic power over the Internet that is well
beyond its legitimate rights. These rights should be limited to ICANN or
better still, to the Department of Commerce that oversees ICANN.

ICANN, stop this potential abuse before it happens and keep the Internet as
a conduit for all people, and not just those that can afford it.

Sincerely,

Anthony Merizzi
http://www.whereizzi.com
http://www.puter-tutor.net